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Thousands of people marched through Minneapolis in freezing temperatures on Friday to demand an end to federal immigration enforcement operations in the city, turning out for one of the largest demonstrations yet against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Organizers said tens of thousands of protesters participated throughout the day, despite temperatures plunging to nearly minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. While authorities did not provide official crowd estimates, demonstrators filled downtown streets before gathering indoors at the Target Center, where speakers addressed immigration enforcement, civil rights, and recent use-of-force incidents involving federal agents.

The protests were part of a broader action promoted as a general strike, with organizers saying numerous businesses across Minnesota closed in solidarity. Workers from a range of sectors joined marches and rallies, citing concerns over aggressive enforcement tactics by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Tensions in Minneapolis have escalated in recent weeks following several high-profile encounters between ICE agents and residents, including the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, earlier this month. Protest leaders called for legal accountability in that case and demanded the withdrawal of thousands of federal officers deployed to the region.

Clergy Arrested During Airport Protest

One of the most visible demonstrations took place at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where dozens of clergy members knelt on a roadway, praying and singing hymns while calling for ICE to leave the state. Police arrested and detained the protesters after they refused to clear the area.

Organizers said the arrests were peaceful and intended to highlight what they described as the detention of airport and airline workers during immigration operations. Advocacy groups urged airlines and airport authorities to publicly oppose the enforcement surge.

Political and Corporate Response

The Trump administration has defended the deployment of federal agents, arguing that ICE officers are enforcing immigration laws and targeting violators. Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis earlier in the week, calling for calm while voicing support for ICE personnel.

Local and state officials, however, have criticized the scale of the operation. Community leaders said federal enforcement has strained public trust and heightened fear among immigrant communities.

Several Minnesota-based corporations were pressed by lawmakers and activists to clarify their policies when ICE agents appear at workplaces. Most major companies contacted declined to comment publicly, drawing criticism from rally speakers who said corporate silence was undermining community efforts.

Protesters Cite Solidarity Over Comfort

Many participants said the extreme weather underscored the seriousness of their message.

“If this were just about convenience, no one would be here today,” said one local business owner who closed his shop to attend the march. “This is about standing with our neighbors and demanding accountability.”

Organizers said demonstrations would continue until federal authorities scale back operations and agree to independent investigations into recent incidents involving ICE agents.